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In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on that turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

As per Tsipras's version, he selected the maverick economist Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely due to the latter's international reputation along with his very persuasive abilities as a public orator.

“He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Clashing Agendas

Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had a personal motives that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and testing out his own theories on the nation rather than truly fighting for the country's financial survival.

Tsipras wrote how those discussions to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

On the line lay both the country's future and those harsh austerity policies demanded in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.

Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum and Reversal

That summer, those harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.

Breaking Point

The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Rebuke

In the book, the author concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding complex and sensitive management.”

He also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.